Time-saving formats for patient care planning in outpatient surgery units

Due to the frequent patient turnover and the fast pace of an outpatient surgery unit, time is limited for developing an individual plan of care. Other factors making this task more complex are related to brief nursing observations and unclear patient expectations. Care plans are now mandated in the outpatient areas at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, KY. The plans need to be realistic, comprehensive, and timesaving, yet generic. A checklist format, which is described in this article, was the solution.